Beekeepers in Cameroon

BIONAT ORGANIC AND NATURAL PRODUCTS (CAMEROON)

Type of mission

The BIONAT programme aims to create links between the conservation of biodiversity and the economic development of the populations living around the Dja Biosphere Reserve and the Bénoué National Park in Cameroon.  

The approach seeks to engage all regional and national stakeholders involved in specific value chains, from collection and production, to processing and marketing, as well as the management of spaces and species.

Background and objectives

The so-called “pro-diversity” value chains aim to create synergy between the economy and biodiversity in the following way: 

  • The natural products become a source of sustainable income for people living around protected areas. These populations develop an economic interest in protecting these protected areas and the biodiversity within them. 

  • By linking the development of value chains to conservation activities that have a positive impact on biodiversity, local communities start to engage through their practices (sustainable resource management planning, agro-ecological and agroforestry practices etc.) and become involved in conservation activities (poaching patrols, bio-monitoring, protection of emblematic habitats etc.) 

  • The managers of protected areas and local authorities take an interest in the resources and the sustainable management of said resources. 

  • The end purchaser becomes aware of the issues at stake which energizes the value chain. 



Activities and impacts

The BIONAT project is being implemented by 3 of Noé’s NGO partners in Cameroon, and a social enterprise, and the areas of action are 2 peripheral zones of protected area: 





Map of the project

The specific objectives of the project are to: 


  • Enhance the value of forest and agroforestry products through a guarantee of organic quality. The resources are valorised in the form of processed products (vegetable butters and oils, powders) with low ecological impact and high added value.
  • Change the scale of marketing of Cameroonian natural forest products. 
  • To capitalise on and perpetuate innovation by transferring new capacities to the project's partners in the field, by disseminating the results and by perpetuating the innovations through the involvement of communities and public and private actors in the territories and sectors.  
  • The sectors concerned are: organic shea butter, deforestation-free cocoa, honey, and local nuts from Dja (Moabi, M'Balaka, Njansang, Wild Mango).

Some key objectives of the project:
  • At least 600 producers, of which more than 60% are women, are trained and organised and develop products according to organic standards; 
  • At least 65 tons of products from pro-biodiversity chains are sold on national and international markets; 
  • Management plans are implemented for each commodity chain to ensure sustainable collection; 
  • At least 10,000 endemic and agroforestry plants produced and planted by communities; 
  • At least 15,000 people will be reached by awareness campaigns on the management and development of natural resources; 
  • 100,000€ of turnover will be generated by the sale of natural products on the Cameroonian market. 

TOOLS & Ressources

  • Map of the project
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  • LEAFLET PROCESSING AND MARKETING FOREST FRUITS
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  • LEAFLET DEVELOPING BIOLOGICAL SECTORS IN FAVOR OF BIODIVERSITY
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  • LEAFLET PRESERVE THE DJA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
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An in-depth look at a flagship project

MARKETING AND PROCESSING FOREST FRUITS INTO NATURAL, ORGANIC PRODUCTS WITH HIGH ECOLOGICAL VALUE


Establishing a platform for transforming non-timber forest products and converting cocoa to vegetable butters, increases the products’ added value and significantly improves the revenue of the producers. 
 
Creating a social enterprise for marketing helps ensure the sustainability, traceability, and equitable use of these products.
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Partners

  • AGENCE FRANÇAISE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT (FRENCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY)
    The Agence française de développement (AFD) is a publicly funded institution that helps implement France’s development policy, fighting against poverty and promoting sustainable development. This public institution finances and supports projects that improve the living conditions of targeted populations, promote economic growth, and protect the planet.

    PHYTODESS
    Phytodess is part of the Dessange group which creates beauty products for the hair and scalp. The products primarily contain natural active ingredients and are sourced in a responsible and sustainable way, promoting respect for biodiversity and the development of local economies.

    SISLEY D’ORNANO FOUNDATION
    The Sisley-d'Ornano Foundation, supported by the Fondation de France, operates in the fields of education, culture, health, environment, and solidarity, in both France and abroad.

Contact

Contact us to:
Obtain further information and support our products (skill-based sponsorship, buying pro-biodiversity products, partnerships etc.)

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